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Toulon coach joins London Irish

London Irish have made three additions to their back-room staff ahead of 2014/15, with Steve Walsh, Brian O'Leary and Andre Quinn joining.

London Irish have made three recruits to their backroom staff for the 2014/15 campaign, with Steve Walsh, Brian O'Leary and Andre Quinn joining.

Walsh will join the Aviva Premiership outfit after spending the last five seasons as Head of Athletic Performance with French heavyweights Toulon.

Walsh is an ex-professional Rugby League player with over 30 year's direct involvement in the game. He has worked at the highest level in both codes including positions at Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Harlequins, Sale and Toulon. He has won the Super League with Leeds and the Top 14 and Heineken Cup, the latter twice, with Toulon. Walsh is regarded as one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the northern game.

Walsh will work with Rob Palmer who is a Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach and Quinn, who returns to Irish as a Strength and Conditioning coach after previously spending four seasons at Sunbury. Quinn was with London Irish between 2008 and 2012 before moving on to Quins where he has added to his repertoire.

O'Leary joins as Head of Medical Services, arriving from Ospreys where he has been for the last five seasons. He is renowned as one of the best physiotherapists in the game and will head up the medical team when he joins the club.

“Steve, Brian and Andre combined have a wealth of experience of working with elite athletes at big rugby clubs,” said London Irish Executive Chairman, David Fitzgerald.

“It is important that our players are given the best advice, care and treatment off the field to ensure they give their all when they wear the London Irish jersey. These appointments mean that we now have a backroom staff up there with the best in the Premiership to take our Club forward.”